Chapter 13

“He’s bringing a doctor friend around in about an hour,” Percy said. “A woman called Beverley.” He sat down again, careful not to jolt the mattress, close to Les’ drawn-up knees. “How are you feeling now?”

Les didn’t answer at once, but eventually he unwrapped an arm and reached out and took Percy’s hand.

“I’m tired,” he said.

“What time did you get in?”

“About nine. What’s-her-name downstairs was leaving for work.”

“Rita. I just met her. She’s going to let them in so I don’t have to go down.”

Les flinched. “She asked me if I was okay.”

“She was coming in as I made the call. She asked how you were. She was worried.”

I’m worried,he said, silently. “What happened?” he asked aloud.

“Oh, just what you’d expect. I was stupid.” He bit his lip. “Really stupid.” He paused and Percy didn’t interrupt. He hadbeen stupid. “I approached the wrong person.” He gave a short, unamused laugh. “I suppose I was lucky it wasn’t lily law. I’d have been in the dock at Bow Street then, instead.”